"Are we in Takodana?" Rey asked.

"It doesn't look it—the trees are different," Master Luke answered.

He was right. These trees were taller and not as dense as the jungle-like planet. Pine trees; oak trees; and other species Rey didn't know, but they matched the woodlands. It was still pretty and serene, quiet looking.

Where did the black hole put them, though?

"Land there," Master Luke said, pointing at an opening where the forest ended. On the right of the tree line, the slightly rolling, vast grasslands seemed to go on forever. Rey positioned the Dart over a flat section with the forest at a safe distance and lowered it to the ground.

She hadn't spotted any kind of settlement or sign of civilization when they flew over the trees. If there was anybody living on this planet, she bet they lived within the forests. Isolated, hidden, and probably suspicious of outsiders.

After making sure the raised wings were set and the Dart secure on the ground, Rey swiveled her chair to pull up the holographic map of the entire Galaxy on the holotable. Various planets, moons, and stars floated before her in a blue light.

Unfortunately, it seemed the map didn't even know where they were. The view of the Galaxy shook as the guidance system couldn't pinpoint their location. It would zoom in on a planet only to back out and switch to another to do the same.

"Perhaps we're in the Unknown Regions," Master Luke suggested.

Rey switched off the useless map. "Wherever we are, I'm not listening to you again."

"Never? Alright, then. I'll stop talking."

She rose from her pilot seat to leave. "You won't hear me complaining." Rey smirked at him as she headed out of the cockpit.

He grumbled under his breath behind her, but followed.

The Dart was a Mandalorian ship, part of the Fang class. It had a two-man cockpit like the Millennium Falcon, but unlike it, there was a small cargo hold, no main hold to relax in, and lacked a quad laser. Rey controlled the guns on the wings from the cockpit. While engaged in a fight, the wings rotated around her cockpit, and when landing, the wings also rose to stand upright. She flipped up the switch to open the boarding ramp—which was nearly the entire backend of the ship—and went down.

Her first goal was to look around to get a feel of the place—sense if there was any need for caution because of some imminent threat. All she got was a deep sense of peace in the land. It seemed like after eons of hardship, the earth had finally settled... But now there was uncertainty. Unease. She felt it was centered around her ship—she was a foreigner bringing unwelcome change.

To be so in tune with the land...

This place is different, Master Luke said in her mind. He understood the need of telepathic communication since they were in an unknown place. It may be best if they kept him a secret.

Rey replied the same. I know, but I like it. It's... soothing here. But it is colder than I like.

The air was mild but it had a slight nip. Her thin desert clothes didn't supply much warmth.

Aww, poor you, he said sarcastically.

She cut her eyes at him before moving on to her next goal: inspect for damage. Rey scrutinized the Dart, hoping she would find some dent on her gray and black ship that could explain why the guidance system was messed up. There was nothing.

Her insides suddenly tingled—a sign of movement in the Force. Life forms were approaching from the east. As she turned, she quickly scanned their auras for a high presence of the Force, meaning Jedi or Sith. There were none. But the auras were different, older even.

Odd.

A group of six people headed toward her, dressed strangely. They all wore tunics of varying greens, dark leggings, boots, and were armed with bows and knives. She couldn't tell sexes for each wore their blond or brown hair long and free—braided pieces varied. Once they drew closer, four were male, two female from the feminine curves.

All were beautiful with fair faces, sharp eyebrows and high cheekbones, perfectly-balanced features, and lean bodies. Pointed ears finished their flawless portraits.

What kind of new peoples were these? Rey had never heard or seen such features on a humanoid before.

And... what do we have here? Master Luke asked in her mind.

Even you don't know? Rey said telepathically. Great. I hope they're friendly.

It was silent between her and the newcomers as their eyes took in Rey and the ship behind her with suspicion. None looked directly at Master Luke to her right so they must not be able to see him. Their eyes remained moving, searching.

"What language do you speak?" Rey began.

All eyes returned to her, and one's eyebrows furrowed—he was blond, with two sheathed blades strapped to his back, and stood mostly before the others. Maybe the leader of this group. A female shot a quick, puzzled look at another.

"The same as you, my lady; all Elves know the Common tongue," the possible leader said.

She fought to keep her features schooled. Elves? Common tongue?

I fear we are in a different Galaxy, Master Luke said.

Rey gritted her teeth. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought you said the black hole would spit us out on another side of the Galaxy.

How was I to know I would be wrong?

"Where is the one you speak to now? You spoke with him before as well."

Rey looked at the speaker. How could he have heard her and Master Luke talking? She hadn't sensed them until they neared, and she or he hadn't said anything aloud.

"There isn't another... in a sense."

The so-called Elves' eyes flashed. Their calm appearances turned stoic and hard; the air heated with hostility.

"In a sense, you lie, my lady," he said. "Now where is he? Do not try to fool us."

They're lie-detectors too? Luke said incredibly.

She closed her eyes, to keep from scowling at him. You're not helping, Master Luke.

"Since you can't see him, and nor do I sense the Force on any of you, I don't know how best to answer. You may not know what I'm talking about."

Eyes searched around her again, except for the one who spoke—he continued to watch her, shrewd and calculating.

"Regardless, tell us the truth."

"Even if you don't believe it?" she challenged.

His crystal blue eyes narrowed. "Yes."

Rey did, telling them about the Force, her being a Gray Jedi, and Master Luke as a Force Ghost (why they couldn't see him). The Elves listened with rapt attention, but the puzzlement never faded from their eyes. Some discussed quietly in a fluid, beautiful, foreign language.

"I've told you the truth, now can you tell me where we are?" Rey asked.

"Middle-earth, as mortals call it." The blond leader gestured at the distant tree line. "You stand beyond the borders of Greenwood the Great."

"What—uh, on what planet?"

"Arda."

Rey blinked, dumbfounded. She had never heard of such a place.

I haven't either, Master Luke admitted.

The blond Elf considered her ship for a while, thinking on something, before turning back to her. "I am Legolas, son of Thranduil, king of the Woodland Realm. I have never heard of Jedi, Force Ghosts, or of this Force, but perhaps he has heard of these things or knows of where we can seek answers..." His eyes grew distant, like he came up with an idea.

"Alright. I'm guessing he lives in there?" She gestured at the forest.

Legolas dipped his head. "You are correct. Walk with us, my lady."

"Before we go, should I hide my ship from... enemies?"

"No, the Enemy has long since been destroyed." Thinking better of it, he added, "Two of us will remain to watch, if it eases you."

A male and female Elf were chosen to guard the Dart from curious onlookers. When their group reached the tree line, they stayed at the edge to watch as Rey and Luke Skywalker continued into Greenwood the Great with Legolas and the other three Elves.